“Love Island” contestant Mike Thalassitis has died at the age of 26, according to multiple reports.
The death of the reality television star was confirmed by his management company, according to the BBC.
Thalassitis was found dead in a wooded area near his home in Essex, UK, on Saturday, according to The Daily Mail.
Emergency services were called to a park and discovered his body.
Police said in a statement cited by The Guardian that Thalassitis’s death is not being treated as suspicious.
“Police were called to a park near Latymer Way, N9, at 9:28 a.m. on Saturday, 16 March,” the statement said. “Officers and the London ambulance service attended and found a man, aged in his 20s, deceased. At this early stage, the death is not being treated as suspicious. Police are in the process of informing the man’s next of kin. A file will be prepared for the coroner.”
No cause of death has been revealed.
‘Shocked and Saddened’
Before Thalassitis competed on “Love Island” in 2017, he was a semi-professional soccer player in England.
He also appeared on the British reality show “Celebs Go Dating,” according to Fox.
“Everyone at ITV2 and ‘Love Island’ are shocked and saddened by this terrible news. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Mike’s family and friends at this very sad time,” a spokesman for ITV, which produces “Love Island,” said in a statement cited by BBC.
Thalassitis’s grandmother, who he lived with and looked after, reportedly died two days before he was found dead. His best friend Danny Cutts also died on Christmas Eve, Sky News reported.
Montana Brown, who appeared on the same “Love Island” season as Thalassitis, wrote in an Instagram post on Saturday that the deceased celebrity was in a “dark place” a few months ago.
“Now I know you were in a dark place a few months back and I thought you were past it and that you were on the up. I got you to buy The Magic, you wrote down your gratitudes, you had the pictures of your family in your car to remind you to be grateful for them. I just don’t know how I didn’t notice … I am absolutely heart broken that I couldn’t help you,” Brown captioned her post.
She also said she was angry at Thalassitis for “doing this because you are so loved by so many people and I just wish you picked up the phone so we could’ve sorted this out. This didn’t need to happen.”
“I can’t imagine how much pain you must have been in to do this, and the fact that you went through this on your own breaks my heart. I’m so so sorry I couldn’t do more to help you. I have so much love for you Mike and I will never forget you. Sleep tight darling and I miss you so much already,” she wrote.
Ferne McCann, who starred in “The Only Way Is Essex,” wrote on Twitter: “So so so so sad. Mike you absolute gent. I have no words.”
So so so so sad. Mike you absolute gent ???? I have no words. My heart and soul and love goes out to his friends & family. Too young. RIP
— Ferne McCann (@fernemccann) March 16, 2019
“My heart and soul and love goes out to his friends & family. Too young. RIP,” she added.
Jonny Mitchell, who became friends with Thalassitis after appearing on “Love Island” with him, said in a post on Instagram he was “heartbroken” by the news.
“I genuinely can’t believe what I’m seeing here,” Mitchell wrote. “My boy from the villa and one of my best mates from the show coming out. An absolute hero and a legend and someone I personally looked up to, always full of so much positivity and charisma. One of the best people I’ve ever known taken from us far too soon, I’m heartbroken and can’t put into words how much I’m gonna miss you bro!”
“I am in utter shock. @MikeThalassitis you were one of the most genuine guy! I just can’t believe this! You’ll be missed so much you have no idea,” wrote Amber Davies, who appeared on the same season with Thalassitis.
“Love Island” host Caroline Flack wrote in an Instagram post, “Mike … you were a total gentleman … I won’t forget that … it’s so sad …you will be missed. RIP.”
Wyświetl ten post na Instagramie.Mike… you were a total gentleman… I won’t forget that … it’s so so sad …you will be missed. RIP. ❤️
The British soccer club Stevenage FC, where Thalassitis began his sports career, paid tribute to its former player.
“Everybody at Stevenage FC is shocked & saddened to hear the tragic news about former player Michael Thalassitis,” the club tweeted. “Our sincerest condolences go to his family & friends.”
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